The Most Picturesque Towns In Rhode Island
Rhode Island may be tiny, but it brims with some of the most picturesque towns to visit. These quaint and cute destinations exude New England character and preserve a number of historic and natural delights for you to admire. From Westerly and Tiverton, where colonial legacies and seaside panoramas persist, to woodland sanctuaries like Foster or the pastoral calm of Little Compton, these communities capture the spirit of the Ocean State with microcosmic magnificence. Whether you are tracing Rhode Island’s early break from British rule or relishing calming trails and salt-sprayed vistas, the most picturesque towns in Rhode Island are exciting and rewarding homesteads for you to visit.
Westerly
Founded in 1661 along the Pawcatuck River near the Connecticut border, Westerly provides both pastoral peace and coastal calm for you to soak yourself in. Strolling through the Burlingame State Park and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge will reward you with many of the region’s serene and sublime outdoors. Likewise, surfing and sunning yourself at Misquamicut State Beach will enliven your vacation in this picturesque small town.
You should definitely not miss the Flying Horse Carousel, one of the oldest continuously operating carousels in the US, which has continuously entertained generations of newcomers since 1883. From shore to forest to a spinning wooden pony, Westerly will energize and enlighten you with its cornucopia of natural and communal wonders.
Narragansett
Named for the Narragansett people and about 30 miles south of Providence, this seaside town of Narragansett is home to an active community lifestyle in a wondrous beach setting. The iconic Towers—a remnant of the old Narragansett Pier Casino—continue to host concerts, dances, talks, and gallery exhibitions for everyone looking for fun and excitement in Rhode Island.
Along the coast, East Matunuck State Beach offers tremendous shore views and recreational pursuits. The John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge, which conserves salt marshes and migratory bird habitat, is an ideal area to admire the island’s diverse and dynamic wildlife. Finally, for a refreshing and fulfilling experience, seafood stands, such as Salty's, serve up clam chowder, steamers, and fresh local catches for you to taste.
Tiverton
Tiverton, a terrific and picturesque town located between the cities of Newport and Providence and near the border of Massachusetts, preserves a quiet moment of inspiration and pride during the days of the American Revolutionary War. In 1778, locals engaged in the Battle of Freetown and later sheltered wounded troops from conflict-ridden Aquidneck Island.
Today, you can visit Fort Barton—or more precisely, the Fort Barton earthworks—at its redoubt on Lawton Avenue, and hike through Fort Barton Woods, a natural preserve with rustic bridges over Sin and Flesh Brook. At Tiverton Four Corners, several 18th-century residences still stand and continue to educate individuals in the relevance of Rhode Island’s history. For nature lovers, noteworthy destinations such as the Audubon Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Sapowet Marsh, and Weetamoo Woods & Pardon Gray Preserve all offer picturesque trails through the island state’s marshlands and forest.
Foster
About 20 miles from Providence lies Foster, a peaceful, rural town that will make you feel jubilation and ease in its forested region. Its network of walking and hiking trails threads through rolling forestland, much of it unspoiled, and one of its most beloved landmarks is the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge, Rhode Island’s only covered bridge on a public road. Additionally, you can pay a visit to A Bee’s Buzz, a charming shop showcasing local crafts, treats, and curiosities for you to peruse and purchase.
Those of you with an appetite for wine can stop by Nickle Creek Vineyard for tastings amid pastoral surroundings. Lastly, those of you keen on a summit view ought to stand atop Jerimoth Hill, the state’s highest point (though modest in elevation), with plenty of picturesque and beautiful overlooks of the region.
Middletown
Located on Aquidneck Island between Newport and Portsmouth, Middletown delivers a pleasant mix of coastal and woodland adventure. The Norman Bird Sanctuary, spanning over 300 acres with around seven miles of trails, remains a favorite destination for educational programs and birdwatching. Pebble Beach and the Jenny’s Creek Shellfish Area, meanwhile, provide low-key and lackadaisical seaside strolls with plenty of seaside views to boast about.
One can even sample regional varietals of wine at Greenvale Vineyards. Best of all is the Newport Car Museum, close by in southern Portsmouth, which showcases classic and exotic automobiles worth a detour.
Little Compton
A quiet neighbor of Tiverton, Little Compton is a splendid and elegant dwelling place on the Sakonnet River with a number of historic and natural charms to seek out. At the Wilbor House Museum, dating to 1690 with later additions, one can gawk and ogle over the historic artifacts and exhibits that showcase the periods of history that Rhode Island and Little Compton have gone through. Though the Sakonnet Lighthouse, built in 1884, is not open to the public, it stands as a dramatic offshore silhouette that one can photograph amidst the beautiful and picturesque surroundings of Little Compton.
At South Shore Beach, you can go meandering and swimming, while the Sakonnet Garden (or the nearby private gardens in the region) gives you plenty of opportunities to savor the horticultural delights of the town.
Jamestown
Set on Conanicut Island in the heart of Narragansett Bay, Jamestown is a pleasantly removed and picturesque destination for everyone to praise. Spectacular vistas await at Beavertail State Park, where rocky coastline, fishing spots, and interpretive steps expose the marvelous marine ecology to discover. The park also includes the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, among the oldest in America, with artifacts and breathtaking sights over sandy inlets. You can also opt to hop on a ferry to Rose Island, home to the Rose Island Lighthouse and remnants of Fort Hamilton, which now hosts guided tours and occasional overnight stays in a haunting yet homely historic setting.
Meanwhile, the Windmill Hill Historic District invites you to wander among old farms and stone walls, including the Watson Farm, which offers glimpses into historic agricultural techniques still practiced today. As a lovely little village between Newport and Narragansett, you will not want to leave too soon on your vacation in Jamestown.
Wickford
Just north of North Kingstown lies the quaint and picturesque village of Wickford, a place where history and waterfront ambiance are seamlessly intertwined. The Old Narragansett Church, also called Saint Paul’s, is among the oldest colonial Episcopal churches in the country, where inside you will find box pews, a wine-glass pulpit, and one of the earliest church organs.
The village itself is one of the most intact colonial-era downtowns, with centuries-old streetscapes and maritime character. The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum preserves a 1750 home that has survived both the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War, as well as the snuff mill of the famed portraitist Gilbert Stuart, complete with art and historic furnishings. Wickford’s roots date to the early colonial fishing trade, and the area of Cocumscussoc recalls its past as a Narragansett trading post in the 1630s. As one of the most well-preserved historic towns in Rhode Island, Wickford offers a picturesque tour into the past of the island state of New England.
Ready Your Cameras for the Most Picturesque Towns in Rhode Island
The most picturesque towns in Rhode Island are a wealth of rarely touted yet still beloved destinations. Combining natural serenity, colonial history, and hidden coastal treasures, these villages on the outskirts of grand cities are beautiful retreats and homesteads that everyone will admire. From the salt marshes of Narragansett to the forested lanes and avenues of Foster, the most picturesque towns in Rhode Island embody all that is grand and gracious in the Ocean State. Regardless of whichever one you will be visiting first, you will not be disappointed in any one of these destinations in this small and beautiful island state of the New England region.
